|
Very Early Colt Model 1902 Sporting Model - This gun
has the early milled front slide serrations and Browning's
Patent marking on the left side of the slide along with the
April 20, 1897 patent date. The 1902 patent date was
not added until approximately serial number 5,000. During this
period of production, guns with odd numbered serial numbers
were fitted with rounded hammers and guns with even numbered
serial numbers were fitted with spur hammers. These guns
lacked the slide lock and lanyard loop as seen on the 1902
Military Model.
Colt Factory Letter indicates this pistol shipped with a
blue finish, furnished with a stub (round) hammer. This Colt 1902 Sporting Model was in the first batch of
10 guns shipped to Browning Brothers, Ogden, Utah on July
11, 1902 and is the earliest serial number in this shipment.
Guns in this shipment were 4367, 4369, 4371, 4373, 4375,
4377, 4379, 4381, 4383 and 4385.
On these early Sporting Models, the trigger, pins and
screws were fire blued. The hard rubber grips were
standard on these guns from the beginning of production.
(Another carry-over from the Model 1900)
Colt 1902 Serial Number 4367 - Early example with convex
recoil spring plug.
Colt 1902 Serial Number 4367 - bronze firing pin and early
style checkering on hammer. |
